Lola, A Ghost Story by J. Torres
Lola, A Ghost Story by J. Torres. Illustrated by Elbert Or
Pages: 102
Ages: 12+
First Published: Jan. 13, 2010
Publisher: Oni Press
Rating: 4/5
First sentence:
The Tagalog word for grandmother is “Lola”.
Acquired: Borrowed a copy through Interlibrary Loan.
Reason for Reading: This was a Cybils ‘10 nominee and as a panelist for Graphic Novels was required reading for me. The panelists did not receive a review copy from the publisher and like most other panelists, I, unfortunately, was unable to find a copy before our nominations were due. My copy from Interlibrary Loan request had just now come in.
This is a great ghost story told in the classic tradition and very worthy to be read by all ghost story aficionados. Jesse sees dead people, goblins, demons, monsters, etc. but he’s learned to stop telling anyone since his parents’ and teachers’ reactions have been less than accepting. Now he and his family are traveling “home” to the Philippines; Jesse’s parents immigrated to Canada when he was four and this is his third visit here. He hates it here. They have come for the funeral of his grandmother, “Lola” in Filipino. The culture of his Filipino family is quite hard for Jesse to accept, they are devout Catholics, carrying Rosaries, with beautiful shrines of worship in the house and yet they are steeped in the superstitions of tradition. Lola had the “gift” and he’s heard all the stories of how she’s helped the community and even defeated demons. Jesse fears what it will be like here now that Lola is gone.
A fabulous story with lots of creepy moments. The tension mounts slowly through the story. Things start happening right away and the reader becomes unsettled knowing something is not quite right. Gradually we learn what is going on, and Jesse realizes the truth as well. His cousin easily figures out Jesse’s gift and berates him for hiding it, telling him it is a gift from God and he must use it. He has something he must do before he leaves. Then like any really good ghost story the book ends with a really fantastic heart-pounding shocker of an ending where one can only imagine what comes next. Loved this one!
The Zabime Sisters by Aristophane
The Zabime Sisters by Aristophane. Translated from the French & Afterward by Matt MaddenPages: 85
Ages: 14+
First Published: Oct. 26, 2010
Publisher: First Second
Rating: 4/5
First sentence:
What, are you still snoozing?
Acquired: Received a Review Copy from First Second Books.
Reason for Reading: The plot. I enjoy stories of childhood and the setting of Guadeloupe certainly piqued my interest.
This is the story of a day in the life of the three Zabime sisters on the first day of summer vacation. Set on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe it has a unique setting of barefoot children amongst tropical flora and fauna. The girls start their day teasing one another with the most outgoing of the three, M’Rose, pulling a prank that scares the other two. The girls meet up with a couple of boys they know and lounge around taking mangoes from an orchard owned by a mean man. Here the story also divides and starts telling us a little of what has been going on so far in the boys’ day. M’Rose separates from the other two sisters as a fight between the school bully and an unknown boy has been called at the crossroads at noon and the other two girls don’t want to go, but M’Rose is just the type to want to watch a fight. The girls divide into two groups and both end up watching and participating in typical acts of childhood misbehaviour, neither satisfying them in the end.
This is a poignant and candid story of childhood unlike most such stories; it is not nostalgic nor does it leave one with a sense of warmness. The author has captured that grain of malice that is inherently found in children and captures it perfectly throughout the day as it surfaces through normal interaction between children and when they find themselves in distress. While the book explores this meanness, it isn’t a mean story, and likewise, while the story is set in a luscious tropical environment the themes of childhood could take place anywhere, rural or urban. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and found it to be a remarkable tale that will be unforgettable for me. The book is suggested for young adults but I think adults are going to enjoy the book on a different level, already having experienced youth and now seeing this acrimony in their own children and recognising it for the seed that a child grows out of with the proper nurturing.
The art must also be mentioned as it is spectacular. It is done heavily in black ink and very expressive and realistic. Though the book is oversized, I only wish it could have been bigger as some of the panels seem too small to contain this type of art as the thickness of the black brush strokes sometimes lose the detail in other areas as they are squished into a small frame. The true beauty of the art is visible in the larger frames.
Birth of a Killer by Darren Shan
Birth of a Killer by Darren ShanThe Saga of Larten Crepsley: Book One
Pages: 253
Ages: 12+
First Published: Oct. 5, 2010 US (Oct. 19, 2010 CAN)
Publisher: Harper Trophy Canada
Rating: 4/5
First sentence:
When Larten Crepsley awoke and yawned one grey Tuesday morning, he had no idea that by midday he would have become a killer.
Acquired: Received a review copy from Harper Collins Canada.
Reason for Reading: I love Darren and read each new book as it comes out.
Larten Crepsley is a major character in Shan’s “Cirque Du Freak” series and this book, first in a proposed 4-book series, tells his life story starting briefly with his pre-vampire childhood and continuing on through the years until he becomes a fully blooded vampire and leaves his master to go out in the world by himself.
Since this book happens before the “Cirque Du Freak” series it is not necessary to have read it to understand this book but the joy of meeting familiar faces and learning their past history will be missed if this book is read cold turkey. Larten is an interesting character from the first page and quickly develops the personality traits we are used to seeing in him but now we know where his silent, hardness comes from and the roots of his greatness. Somehow reading the story when you know how the whole story of his life ends in the distant future leaves out some of the tension as we already know the ultimate fate of many characters, including Larten . But there are many questions about Larten’s past that need explaining and his connection with the Cirque Du Freak and Mr. Tall is covered in this volume as is his whole apprenticeship, half-blooding, full blooding and his first trip to the Council to participate in the games as a fresh blood. Lots of excitement, with much action and the introduction of Larten’s role-models shape the beginning of his life and the ending leaves us with a quick glance at the introduction of an old enemy from “Cirque Du Freak” making me eager to pick up Book Two, which will be out in May of this year (2011).
The Boy Who Conquered Everest: The Jordan Romero Story
The Boy Who Conquered Everest: The Jordan Romero Story by Katherine Blanc with Jordan Romero
Pages: 72
Ages: 9+
First Published: July 30, 2010
Publisher: Balboa Press
Rating: 4/5
First sentence:
Jordan Romero was a regular 9 year old boy.
Acquired: Received a review copy from the book’s publicist.
Reason for Reading: The book sounded inspiring and like something my son would enjoy.
This little book is a treasure and a treat to read! Graphically, the book has been designed in a scrapbook style with each page a pleasing layout of photographs, handwritten and typewritten fonts. The text is minimal at times, presented in chunks at others, and is not a hard read at all but still full of information. This is the story of Jordan Romero, who at 9 years old, wanted to climb the Seven Summits. These are the tallest mountains on each continent, which, of course, includes the tallest mountain in the world, Mount Everest. Jordan’s father and stepmother were amateur mountain climbers, so this goal wasn’t a complete impossibility and with their support and agreement to come along with him his dream became reality. For the next 4 years Jordan trained, gained sponsors and threw fundraisers as he traveled the world completing each summit, until at age 13 he had one left, the tallest, Mount Everest. This climb would make him the youngest person ever to climb the Seven Summits beating the previous holder of the title who completed the climbs at age 17.
An extremely interesting and fascinating story told through text and photographs. Very inspiring and leaves one with a sense of accomplishment and feeling of what one could do oneself. Kids will realize that it is OK to have big dreams and that through hard work one can make dreams, no matter how big or small, come true. A very good, “feel good” story with a positive message for children. The emphasis is on achieving your goals but never does the book lose focus of the hard work and feelings of giving up one must experience to achieve those goals. A good read!
Thunder from the Sea: Adventures on Board the HMS Defender by Jeff Weigel
Thunder from the Sea: Adventure on board the HMS Defender by Jeff Weigl
Pages: 47
Ages: 8+
First Published: May 13, 2010
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Rating: 3/5
First sentence:
Gentlemen, this is Jack Hoynton - the new crewman assigned to us.
Acquired: Borrowed a copy through Inter Library Loan.
Reason for Reading: This is a Cybils ‘10 nominee and required reading for me as a graphic novels panelist.
This book is a bit unique in it’s presentation. First, it is oversized like a picture book. Then it tells a fictional tale about life aboard a mid size ship during the Napoleonic Wars. Jack is a 12 yo orphan (mostly) who is sent to work in the navy and this ship’s job is to patrol the waters protecting England from French invasion. They meet up with more than they expected when they come across a hidden French boatyard and are attacked by a French Man-o-War and betrayed by a spy amongst them. While the story is fictional each page has a sidebar with non-fiction information relating to information found on that page. These tidbits of trivia range from definitions of items such as a “frigate” or “bosun” to describing in further detail concepts such as “impressment” or “Beat to Quarters” to more detailed histories of “relations between the Irish and English” or “how the French Army conscription workers”.
The story itself is entertaining and makes wide use of various differing frames from full page to tall thin rectangles to the occasional circle. I found the non-fiction information more entertaining than the story though. But my main problem was that the sidebars consistently interrupted the flow of the story. I recommend reading the story straight through the first time ignoring the sidebars just to be able to enjoy the action-packed story of a boy third class’s life aboard ship and a battle at sea during the Napoleonic Wars. Then go back a second time reading the sidebars either alone or as you re-read the story for the non-fiction historical aspect.
I’m not sure how well this book would do as one kids would choose for themselves, but it would be perfect used in the classroom or homeschool and is certainly a library recommended have.
Another Pan by Daniel & Dina Nayeri
Another Pan by Daniel & Dina Nayeri
The Second of Another Series
Pages: 393
Ages: 14+
First Published: Sept. 14, 2010
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Rating: 4/5
First sentence:
All nights come to an end — that is to say, all nights see the break of day.
Acquired: Received a review copy from Candlewick Press.
Reason for Reading: Next in the series.
I loved this book almost as much as the first in the series! In fact, I think I loved the story even more but I didn’t find it to be the page-turner that Another Faust was. This was more of a slow read, one that kept me interested and I loved falling into the world, but somehow it did have a slow pace. I’m not sure if this is the book’s fault or my own as my mind has been all over the place so close to Christmas. But fast or slow paced who cares? I loved Another Pan!
Professor Darling is a teacher at the Marlowe school. Both his children attend, Wendy and John Darling; this is his first year at the high school. There are a few new Resource Assistants this year and one them is named Peter. Professor Darling’s history class revolves around Ancient Egyptology and a particular set of 5 myths and artifacts in which he alone believes prove that the Egyptian god of the Dead was not Anubis but a female. Peter is at the school looking for bonedust from a certain set of 5 mummies which when ground together will provide the elixir of permanent youth. So far he’s managed to slow the aging process considerably with the dust from one such special mummy. It seems the underworld has attached itself to Marlowe along with a new mousy, plain looking school nurse with a strange eye. Wendy and John join Peter and his crew of Lost Boys (in place all over the world and naturally at Marlowe as well) in entering the underworld and trying to retrieve the mummies and fighting (or tricking) the guardians of each after they hear and study each myth to help them locate the point of entry in Marlowe to the correct place in the underworld.
It is with the nurse that the connection with the previous book comes. Another Faust introduced us to the demon posing as a governess and here she returns before she has had time to fully recuperate in the form of the nurse. This is all covered in the first chapter. But when she returns to the underworld she regains her full power as the Dark Lady. The Dark Lady has taken on many manifestations in the living world, the glamorous governess in Another Faust and the terrible, frightening nanny of Peter’s childhood.
I love how all the elements of the Peter Pan story are brought together here in a completely different fashion. Peter Pan is represented in his true form (from the book) as a nasty, self-centred youth and his sidekick who is in love with him, Tina, will do anything for him even though he does not reciprocate her undying love. Tina, like Tinkerbell (in the book) is jealous of Wendy with a pure hatred. Other elements that find their way into Another Pan but have nothing to do with pirates or crocodiles are the hook and the tick-tock of a watch. Truly, a very original re-imagining of the ingredients that make up Peter Pan that the authors have used in a completely unique way to tell their own story.
As a series, I find this very compelling as it does not follow the same cookie cutter recipe of most series. There is not a continuing plot line with the same characters. In fact, these first two books could be read on their own, apart from a series. What connects them as a series is a villain and a school, which is becoming a character itself. There is also a very brief mention in passing of an event that happened last year at the school involving Christopher Faust and connecting it to the evil within Marlowe.
I’m a fan of this series and can’t wait to see what classic story the brother/sister author team use as the springboard for the next book.
On the Blue Comment by Rosemary Wells
On the Blue Comet by Rosemary Wells. Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
Pages: 329
Ages: 9+
First Published: Sept. 28, 2010
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Rating: 4/5
First sentence:
We lived at the end of Lucifer Street, on the Mississippi River side of Cairo, Illinois.
Acquired: Received a review copy from Candlewick Press.
Reason for Reading: I’ve read a few of the author’s books and this time it was the historical fiction aspects along with the time travel that drew me to this book. Plus I do also have a thing for old trains.
Oscar Ogilvie lives in the early 1930’s. It is Christmas Eve, 1931 to be exact when the action starts to take place in the book. But a bit earlier than this we get to know Oscar and his dad who have a passion for model train collecting and have spend hours in their basement working with their layout. Oscar’s dad doesn’t do too badly with his job at John Deere and they have accumulated a nice set of Lionel trains. But the crash of ‘29 hits and eventually his dad loses his job, sells the house and the train set, goes to California to find work and leaves Oscar behind with his prim and proper spinster sister. Then on the evening in question, Oscar is visiting the nightwatchman at the bank, a friend, who lets him play with the train layout on display there, the one that used to be his. On that fateful night the bank is robbed and Oscar jumps for his life into the miniature train layout to find himself in the future where he works his way to join his father in California. Only Oscar is now 21 years old and the date is 1941 and he’s been missing, presumed kidnapped all these years. As Oscar tries to get back home to 1931, he takes a side trip to 1926 where he is only 6 years old.
This was a fun book. Oscar is a quick thinking character and an enjoyable one to know. Even though he gets himself into this mess to start with he is generally a nice boy with good intentions who prays Hail Marys when things become too intense for him to handle. Oscar is an average kid who loves his dad very much and on his travels he always befriends someone who helps him through each stage of his journey. While Oscar’s main focus is to return home, he also is desperately trying to remember the details of the robbery as he has learnt in the future that a $10,000 reward was offered by the bank for the capture of the criminals.
The time travel aspect is fantasy based and just happens when Oscar’s need is so great, usually from fear, and it is never scrutinized or explained away. One must suspend reality to accept this part of the book and also the number of people he eventually tells his story to who believe his tale is unrealistic and must be taken at face value. The historical fiction side of the book is informative while being entertaining. Much is learnt about the stock market crash and how the depression affected the rich, poor and middle classes. The 1941 era imparts mostly information about the bombing of Pearl Harbour and the war with Japan and finally the 1926 episode is the shortest mainly focusing on the restricted lifestyle of a rich girl who would rather be playing baseball than wearing frilly dresses and playing with dolls.
The illustrations are simply divine. Full colour paintings one would expect to find in a picture book, not your usual MG chapter book. So realistic and charming, they have a sense of Norman Rockwell to them. The book’s not heavily illustrated, but there are enough so that just as you are feeling that it’s about time for a picture one comes along. Many of them are two page spreads to boot!
A good romp, with lots of excitement and adventure. Oscar meets many interesting people along the way and situations are always turning from humorous to fraught with tension. This is a good “boy book” with unique plot elements making it stand out from the usual fare being offered these days.
Arthur of Albion by John Matthews
Arthur of Albion by John Matthews. Paintings by Pavel Tartarnikov
Pages: 136
Ages: 9+
First Published: 2008 (Oct. 1, 2010 Chapter book edition)
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Rating: 4/5
First sentence:
Long ago, in the time before now, when the world was stilled filled with marvels, a fair green island lay beyond the Pillars of Hercules.
Acquired: Received a review copy from Barefoot Books.
Reason for Reading: I love the old Arthurian Tales of Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table. Which this book is. FYI, I’m not so fond of modern retellings, only if they involve Arthur as a boy or focus on Merlin as the main character.
This book was published a couple years ago in an oversized picture book format which I am sure is simply breath taking and would be the edition you would want if you want to read this aloud to younger children or even a group of children. This edition I have has been reduced into a trade paperback chapter book edition, meant to be read alone. (but of course you can read it aloud too!) I’ve come to realize now that Barefoot Books produce quality books and Arthur, by example, is covered with thick stock card covers that have flaps and the inside pages are of the same thick quality, found in their hardcovers, not used by many publishers for softcovers.
The paintings by Tartarnikov are exquisite medieval representations of the scenes he has chosen to illustrate. Hi paintings are 3 dimensional but he does leave a small 2 dimensional aspect remindful of the artwork from the original time period. The paintings have a mystical, dreamy quality to them as he combines the magical with the reality of the then knights in all their splendiferous glory. A perfect illustrator for this text.
The book itself concentrates on retelling several stories from the multitude available. The stories start logically with the sword in the stone and end with the quest for the holy grail, but in between the tales are a various selection, of no particular order, mainly those featuring chivalry, saving maidens and fighting brutish knights. Of course, everyone is sent back to Arthur to tell his tale and this is the one constant through the flow of the individual tales. The author has managed to keep a sense of time and place in his choice of vocabulary making the book seem authentic to its medieval setting. This does make the book better suited to being read by the middle grades and up, though. None of the steamier storylines are introduced here, even though those characters are present, leaving only the convictions against Guinevere to be suggested. A lovely introduction to the Arthurian literary world.
Tales of Mystery and Magic by Hugh Lupton
Tales of Mystery and Magic retold by Hugh Lupton. Illustrated by Agnese Baruzziwith Storytime CD
Pages: 64
Ages: 5+ (ALL AGES)
First Published: Sept. 1, 2010
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Rating: 4/5
First sentence:
Once upon a time there lived a blackbird and his wife and they sang so sweetly together that everyone who passed beneath the tree where they lived would stop and listen.
Acquired: Received a review copy from Barefoot Books.
Reason for Reading: I love reading illustrated books of fairytales, myths and legends. The tales mentioned in the publisher’s summary didn’t sound familiar to me so this book intrigued me.
A fabulous collection of fairytales (and a couple of legends) that all involve elements of magic or unexplained happenings. Some have happy endings, but not all. This collection was all new to me except one, and not knowing the originals I cannot say whether they have been watered down but I doubt it because of the elements that are included. We have a disembodied body, a reanimated corpse and a couple of elves who cut off their feet! And sometimes someone learns there lesson the hard way.
These tales are all perfect for even the youngest listener and perfect for reading aloud as they are written in a storyteller voice and these tales all include the element of repetition in various formats. One story uses the sing song phrase which gets repeated over and over throughout the tale, another has an animal walking along and asking a question, the answer is yes, then another animal comes along and so on until at the very end things change when the answer is no. Then there’s the scenario where one goes out and tries one thing for a certain result and that doesn’t work, so they do another thing and that doesn’t and so on. These repetitious tales are always favourites for younger children and I’ve found them the most fun to read aloud. If you are not into reading aloud, then you are in luck as the book comes with an audio CD with all the tales narrated by the author Hugh Lupton, a professional storyteller.
Besides the repetition, another thing that makes this selection unique is that not one of the tales is common. I read a lot that I can’t be sure I haven’t heard some before once, but out of the seven stories I know, for sure, only one. The average person will not know any unless perhaps they are from the culture the tale comes from. Each tale originates from around the world and present here are: India, Chile, Inuit, Seneca Natives, Scotland, Russia and West Africa. My favourite was the last story from West Africa which is the one that involves the reanimation of a corpse, but it has a very touching ending. It’s original title is “The Cow Switch Tail” and I should remember it as I’ve read “The Cow-Tail Switch, and Other West African Stories” by Harold Courlander, a Newbery Honor winning book, but that was a long time ago. Due for another read I guess! The illustrations are all done in digital collage and nothing more can be said than that they are wonderful to behold and this is a fine book both visually and textually.
Finally, the book ends with a little goldmine. The author tells us the source from which he took the original tale before he wrote his retelling. Here we are introduced to books from the ’30s and ’60s, some long out of print, others not, but great additions to fairy tale enthusiasts list. Also another random bit of information is imparted here. Hugh Lupton is the great-nephew of Arthur Ransome, whom he used to visit as a boy. He even recommends Ransome’s Old Peter’s Russian Tales as the book from which his Russian tale is told. This is the one I knew beforehand. Recommended for all ages. Young and old who love fairy tales & legends.
The Arbian Nights (Nicola)
The Arabian Nights by Wafa’ Tarnowska. Illustrated by Carole Henaff
Pages: 127
Ages: 9+
First Published: Oct. 1, 2010
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Rating: 5/5
First sentence:
Long ago, when tales traveled along the Silk Road from China to Persia, crossing wind-blown sand dunes and busy oases, bleak mountain passes and fertile valleys, there lived two Persian kings of the Sassanid dynasty.
Acquired: Received a review copy from Barefoot Books.
Reason for Reading: I love fairy tales and have read a few versions of The Arabian Nights along with many stories included in fairy tale collections and am always on the look out for new unique versions.
Wafa’ Tarnowska, even though writing a children’s book best suited for middle graders, used a 14th century Syrian manuscript (which has been translated into both Arabic and English for publication) as her basis for these stories. She has chosen here to showcase tales which feature women, princess, who bravely help their men in need. While a prince may rescue a princess, he receives ample help from her in pulling off the scheme. This makes Tarnowska’s selections unique from other collections of the Arabian Nights. Also the tales are told within the famous plotline of Shahrazade telling the evil Shah a story every night to save him from killing her or anymore girls as he has been want to do over the years. Usually (from my past reading’s of children’s retellings) this story starts off with the evil Shah who kills a bride every morning and gets a new one every night, but this author has started the story much earlier here and explained how and why the Shah became this way in the first place, another unique feature in a children’s retelling of the Arabian Nights.
The stories chosen, apart from Aladdin, are lesser known tales and probably will be new to most readers. The stories are told within a series of several connected tales, making for an exciting extended story involving the characters before tiny segues with the Shah and Shahrazade ending and beginning each new set of tales. They are wonderfully told, in rich language, never talking down to the young reader, the stories don’t involve any violence but people are turned into animals and stone, etc. with magic. The sensual aspects are present but kept to an age appropriate level. Kings or princess are “with” the princess and then a year later there is a baby, the word “lover” is used, that sort of thing. I enjoyed the authentic flavour of these tales.
The art also adds to the authenticity of the book. Done in acrylic paintings, the style reflects the time period using two dimensional figures and a palette of desert colours including sand, turquoise and terracotta with browns and greens. The book itself is beautiful, being overly oversized (picture book format) with quality paper and a cloth covered spine. A lovely addition to any children’s or fairy tale enthusiast’s bookcase. This is a keeper.
Bookweirder (Nicola)
Bookweirder by Paul GlennonBookweird Trilogy, book 2
Pages: 246
Ages: 9+
First Published: Sept. 28, 2010
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
Rating: 5/5
First sentence:
It could have been a forest back home.
Acquired: Received a review copy from Random House Canada.
Reason for Reading: next in the series.
When I read Bookweird back in 2008, I had no idea there would be a sequel, and I’d be pretty surprised if the author was positive there would be a sequel either as the book just didn’t read like part of a series. That first book made my honorable mentions list of best books read that year so when I discovered the sequel published this year I just had to read it!
It’s been a year since the previous events and Norman has not gone into a book again figuring the results are much too dire for him to be messing around with. His family is spending the summer in England in his mother’s family home, owned by her brother, who is away. Here Norman finds a set of his mother’s childhood books about “The Intrepid Three” and starts reading one only to fall asleep and wake up in the book. Both Norman and Malcolm, the stoat king, have been lured into this book by the mysterious librarian who is playing the part of Mr. Todd, the lawyer this time. But just what is going on? Malcolm needs a map that his father gave Norman as a gift last time, things are not going right in this book for the Intrepid Three as they are being harassed by a “poacher” who just happens to be the killer Norman set loose from his mother’s mystery book last time. As Malcolm and Norman try to put this book back on track Norman needs to go into other books to put the pieces together of a family secret as Norman suspects his mother might actually know about the bookweird. This time he visits 19th century Paris in a Poe short story, then a medieval adventure story as well as the WWI era Intrepid Three.
A splendid book. The events from book one, Bookweird, are quite pertinent to the story so do read that first to appreciate this book at its fullest. Though it’s been two years since I read Bookweird, the events came back to me very quickly as they were briefly referred to here and I was deep inside Bookweirder right away. This is a brilliant world Glennon has created and one that any bibliophile is going to love immersing themselves into. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to hop into the books you were reading and have a quick conversation with your favourite character? But unfortunately, going into a book starts to change the story as soon as you arrive so you have to be careful! The book is deceptive with its 246 page count, since it is a trade paperback and the type is unusually small. So don’t count on it being such a quick read as it looks before you open it up. However, it’s an engaging story, which this time has definitely been written as the precursor to another book. There are plenty of mysteries still unsolved, threads hanging, and in fact the book ends with one problem all wrapped up and Malcolm and Norman setting out to fix the next. Any guesses on the next book’s title? Bookweirdest? Bookweirderer? I’ll be looking forward to it!
PS - Just found out this is being called a trilogy. So one more book, but no details can be found yet.
Torment (Nicola)
Torment by Lauren KateA Fallen Novel, Book 2
Pages: 452
Ages: 14+
First Published: Sep. 28, 2010
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Rating: 3.5/5
First sentence:
Daniel stared out at the bay.
Acquired: Received a review copy from Random House Canada.
Reason for Reading: next in the series.
First I’ll mention that this is one of the most stunning covers I’ve ever seen. I love b/w photography and the design here is breathtaking. Now on to the book.
I can’t really give a summary as not much happens in Torment. Luce is sent to an exclusive boarding school which just happens to have a special class for Nephilim and amongst the Nephilim Luce can be hidden from those who seek to destroy her. In the meantime Daniel and Cam have made an 18 day truce between the angels and demons to work together to kill those who seek to kill Luce. Thus the book takes place over those 18 days. There’s a lot of Daniel and Cam getting the bad guys, the bad guys trying to get Luce, Luce getting herself into trouble by disregarding the rules she’s been given and Luce learning more about the shadows, the Announcers, and how to control and use them.
There is a lot of “Twilight syndrome” going on here in Torment. Daniel has become demanding, giving Luce rules and instructions to follow without reasons, he orders her around and isn’t telling her everything. He has become the dominant male species. While Luce, when she is away from and gets close to Daniel feels the overwhelming passion, desire, pull and love for him. Regardless, she is no Bella. Luce starts questioning Daniel’s behaviour and doesn’t take kindly to being pushed around even though she can’t get past the inhuman passionate bond they share. What all this amounts to is a bunch of not much happening, making the book a slow read leading up to an anti-climax that ends in a “to be continued” manner with no resolution.
I did really enjoy the two new characters introduced that befriend Luce, both Nephilim. Shelby her roommate, a no nonsense type of girl who at first resents Luce for her infamous reputation. And then Miles, a watered down Nephilim, with the Angel in his heredity in the distant past. Miles is a friend Luce can count on and one who might become more than just a friend.
My problem, same I had with the couple of Twilight books I read, is that I don’t like Daniel. I’m not rooting for Luce and Daniel. I want him to turn out a bad guy and in the end I want Luce and Miles to end up together, just a couple of regular people (well almost) in real love, not some earth shattering, passionate, end of the world, meant to be, for infinity, lust-love. Won’t happen though. Just like it was obvious Edward would win in the end, Daniel will also.
I had thought this was going to be a trilogy but they are calling book three “the next book in the Fallen series” which sounds ominously like there are plans for a 4th book and so on. If this does conclude in a trilogy I will read the third book when it comes out to see how it all ends. If more are planned, I’ll just wait until the series is done and see if I still feel like reading them when that time comes.
The Odyssey (Nicola)
The Odyssey by Gareth Hinds
Pages: 251
Ages: 13+
First Published: Oct. 12, 2010
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Rating: 5/5
First sentence:
Sing to me, O Muse, of that man of many troubles, Odysseus, skilled in all ways of contending, who wandered far after he helped sack the great city of Troy.
Acquired: Received a review copy from Candlewick Press.
Reason for Reading: This is a Cybils ‘10 nominee and required reading for me as a graphic novels panelist.
A stunning, scholarly reinterpretation of Homer’s Odyssey. Hinds has used as background material his favourite translations, then putting them aside used more prosaic translations to help him reinterpret Homer into the graphic novel format where text needs to be more sparse to meet with illustration in telling the story. I have read many, many retellings of Homer in story format. I love the epic tale of Odysseus though I have no interest in reading translations of the original verse. I’m not a fan of poetry but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the glory of the epic tale being told. Hinds has done a sensational job of retelling in everyday, understandable prose and using his striking watercolour paintings to present a flawless edition of Homer’s Odyssey.
As far as my memory can serve me every single plot point has been included in Hind’s version, nothing has been cut to keep to a certain number of pages and in fact we are presented with an oversized, heavy book of significant pages. Hinds tells his tale basically through conversation and illustration. The book starts with a tiny bit of poetic narrative and then moves straight on to conversation, the only time narrative is used is through Odysseus’ own voice as he recounts brief parts of his journey through this method. Illustration is used to great lengths to also tell the story so that the text is not left to carry the plot. There are plenty of wordless sections as the illustrations alone move the tale along. The illustrations are also used specifically to show the sensuous and the violent elements of the epic tale, going places that have no need for words.
The art is stunning; the text is readable high quality prose. This edition makes Homer accessible to anyone, of all ages, 13 and older, while remaining a scholarly presentation. A must addition to any Homer or Greek mythology enthusiast’s collection.
The Smoky Corridor (Nicola)
The Smoky Corridor by Chris GrabensteinThe Haunted Mysteries, #3
Pages: 326
Ages: 10-14
First Published: Aug. 24, 2010
Publisher: Random House
Rating: 5/5
First sentence:
The night before he officially started at his new school, Zack Jennings already had a feeling the place was haunted.
Acquired: Received a review copy from Random House Canada.
Reason for Reading: Next in the series.
Ahh, it was such a blast sitting down with this next book about Zack Jennings, the boy who sees ghosts. Summer is over and Zack is finally starting at his new school. This Middle School has been around since the end of the Civil War when the mansion was donated as such and over the years parts have been added onto it making it a maze of hallways and classrooms. As soon as Zack arrives, he’s visited by a ghost from book one who tells him something major is going down at the school; a zombie in the depths of the basement below has reawakened and Zack needs to deal with it and the evil spirit that controls it before he takes over the body of an unknown student in the school.
This has all the ingredients for a great horror story! Two ghost children from 1910 who died in a fire in the school under mysterious circumstances and are out for revenge, a zombie (or two), ghost stories, a few gruesome deaths and children’s souls in peril. Zack has been warned that adults cannot be involved so he can’t tell his stepmother, Judy, who also sees ghosts, and has been his supernatural sleuthing partner for the first two books. Instead Zack makes friends with two loner/outcast-type kids and they are pulled into the events with Zack. But not only does Zack have to deal with the supernatural, he also has two very alive people on his trail and trying to get into the basements as well, for the original owner of the mansion is said to have stolen a sizable treasure of Confederate gold during the war and hidden it somewhere on the property. These two baddies are related to a soldier buried in the nearby Civil War Cemetery and they know all about people who can communicate with the dead.
I really enjoyed Zack and Judy working together in the first books, so I did miss her presence in this book, but happily she does remain as a minor character. Zack’s new friends are both very interesting characters and will make a welcome addition to the cast in future books. Malik is black with a recently out of work dad and an ailing mother who needs a kidney transplant but is currently confined to a wheelchair because they have no insurance and can’t afford dialysis at the moment; Azalea appears to be your typical Goth girl on the outside with a morbid interest in death but she and her mom are living with an aunt because her army father is in Afghanistan (I think?) again and she knows once he’s back they’ll pick up and move again like always.
This is my favourite of the first three books! A great story with interesting ghosts who have creepy backgrounds, and an evil spirit trained in the arts of voodoo and of course the zombie (or two) to make things a little more gruesome. The new characters add elements to the book that is making Zack’s personal world more real over the course of the three books. I rarely make definite age suggestions but I think this series will be most appreciated by 10-14’s. Older teens will find it too tame and younger than ten may find it too gruesome (unless they are used to that sort of thing). A great horror read for MGs. Highly recommended.
While the books are independent of each other; there is not a continuing story line. Each consecutive book does contain ghostly characters met in previous books, so while not necessary, it does make it more fun to read them in order.
Smile (Nicola)
Smile by Raina Telgemeier
Pages: 218
Ages: 9+
First Published: Feb. 1, 2010
Publisher: Graphix/Scholastic
Rating: 5/5
First sentence:
Smile!! Good! Let’s get you set up in a chair, and the orthodontist will look at your teeth in a few minutes.
Acquired: Borrowed a copy from my local library.
Reason for Reading: This is a Cybils ‘10 nominee and required reading for me as a graphic novels panelist.
This is a graphic memoir that follows the author from grade six through her sophomore year of high school specifically focusing on her dental problems. In the 6th grade, just shortly before she is scheduled for braces for an overbite Raina trips and knocks out her 2 front teeth. A host of other problems follow as we watch Raina’s dental nightmare over the next several years. During this time Raina is going through adolescence, her normal self-esteem issues at this age are multiplied by the extensive work she has done which includes a retainer with two false front teeth attached to it.
I loved this book. First the artwork is wonderful. Cartoony but so very expressive. The characters facial expressions almost tell the story by themselves. Set in the late eighties, there are lots of fun retro moments for adult readers in the background as one notices her watching ‘Silver Spoons’ on TV and they play an original 8-bit Nintendo system. The dental story is transfixing. I didn’t wear braces myself, so that and all the extra problems of missing teeth and loss of bone, etc. was fascinating. Raina goes through this experience with pain and complaints but she is a happy child and can always see the bright side of things, eventually. Children going through/or about to will identify with Raina and feel for her while at the same time being thankful they only have to wear braces. This is also a story about growing up and it very nicely shows how Raina slowly notices over the years how she has become the butt of jokes in her group of friends and while no one is mean to her (on purpose) she’s not exactly in healthy relationships friend-wise. As she grows older she finds new interests, meets new friends, become boy conscious and starts to feel good about herself on the outside but more importantly … on the inside.
One notices all the issues being dealt with within this story without an issue being made out of them and the story is a very enjoyable read. Both funny and emotional. It isn’t until the end that the author spends a mere two pages waxing eloquently about how in hindsight she realized she’d moved beyond the child stage and grown-up a bit by the time her braces were removed. A story that really grabs you from the beginning, un-put-downable, with a main character who is a joy to meet and get to know.
The Circle Series: The Visual Edition (Nicola)
The Circle Series: The Visual Edition of Black, Red, and White by Ted DekkerPages: 416
Ages: 14+
First Published: Dec. 29 2009
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Rating: 5/5
First sentence:
One of the benefits of the last shift at the Java Hut: free caffeine …
Acquired: Received a review copy from Thomas Nelson.
Reason for Reading: This is a Cybils ‘10 nominee and required reading for me as a graphic novels panelist.
Ted Dekker is one of my favourite authors and I was very excited to read this as I haven’t read any of his fantasy yet, meaning I hadn’t read the original novels this graphic novel was based on either. Absolutely amazing story. Part fantasy and part urban fantasy. Thomas Hunter is nicked in the head with a bullet and starting from that point on whenever he falls asleep he travels between two realities. One a medieval sort of world where evil is fast encroaching upon good and he is the one who can find the answer to saving the world by finding the long lost Books of Histories and travelling into the other reality gain information. While in the modern world he realizes that the two worlds are somehow connected through him and here he may be the only one with the answer to a terrorist who is unleashing a deadly virus on the world if his demands for nuclear submission from the entire planet are not met. Eventually Thomas starts dreaming on purpose to travel between worlds, sometimes needing a bash over the head or a sedative to get to sleep quickly.
In the alternative Earth, good and evil are much more visible than they are in the modern reality but as Thomas travels he never knows which one is the dream and which one is the reality. Ultimately this is a fantastic Christian allegory of the Gospels, the Passion of Christ and the power of Baptism. An utterly thrilling story on many levels. Often reading like an episode of 24 when in the modern reality. There is the president under pressure, terrorists, kidnapped scientists and such but on the other hand when in the alternate reality it reads more like a grown-up, more violent Narnia-like story and how the two combine makes for a riveting read. The artwork is topnotch. Beautiful, dark and bold whichever is needed to represent the mood. Overall, a stunning piece of allegorical Christian fantasy.
Of course, the original novels are written for adults, but I would classify this graphic novel as a cross-over suitable for both adults and young adults. There is a young adult set of novels that compliments the series that are being turned into GNs as well. I think at this time 4 of the 6 books have been done. I’ll wait for an omnibus edition like this one.
I enjoyed this so much that my next foray into Dekker’s backlist is going to be this series, which also has a 4th book (Green), and all it’s various offshoot series.
Lucy Unstrung (Nicola)
Lucy Unstrung by Carole LazarPages: 235
Ages: 12+
First Published: Aug. 10, 2010
Publisher: Tundra Books
Rating: 5/5
First sentence:
When my mom finally walks in the door at nine-fifteen, she acts like nothing’s wrong at all.
Acquired: Received a review copy from the Tundra Books.
Reason for Reading: I was intrigued by the Catholic nature of the main character and whether it truly would be a positive portrayal. Not something often found in YA literature.
An astounding novel of an authentic Catholic family dealing with real life issues. Lucy’s mom was 14 when she became pregnant with her and now she is 28 and feeling that she needs “a life”. As she takes evening classes and such she meets a new worldly friend and it isn’t much longer until she separates from her husband and plans a new life for herself for the next four years while she goes back to school. Lucy is 13 and has a solid Catholic upbringing having been raised by her Grandma, and her father is seen as practicing the faith as well. But Lucy is shocked by her mother’s new behaviour which seems to contradict so many Church teachings. She learns so much during this time of struggle as her parents sell their house and move into new homes.
I loved this book! Plot-wise, we have a fairly typical story of a young girl trying to deal with her parents separation and all the upheaval and turmoil this causes her personally as she moves with her mom into a trailer park and has to attend a new school, a public school, where she becomes the object of the class bully. But through it all (apart from the separation) the family remains true to their faith and this is what impressed me most about the story and made it so enjoyable along with the humorous touches. The book is not preachy in anyway it simply shows how one faith lives. While the two adults separate and it does seem to be for the long haul divorce is never mentioned this early, we see inside the confessional and what it’s really like in there (especially for a young teen), we see Lucy questions her faith as she takes Church teachings to extremes and then seeks guidance and we see her going to mass regularly with both her mom and dad.
A wonderful, refreshing, humorous story that deals with tough issues from a positive Catholic perspective without being religious fiction. There have been many books written about teens dealing with similar issues from Muslim, Jewish, Asian, etc. perspectives and now, finally, the Catholic perspective can also be found. I do highly recommend this for Catholic school libraries and mainstream teens as well, if they can read about a religion not their own while still respecting the persons who believe as they do. I know just the girl I’ll be passing this book on to!
The Dreamer (Nicola)
The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan. Illustrated by Peter Sis
Pages: 372
Ages: 9+
First Published: Apr. 1, 2010
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Rating: 4/5
First sentence:
On a continent of many songs, in a country shaped like the arm of a tall guitarrista, the rain drummed down on the town of Temuco.
Acquired: Received a review copy from Scholastic Canada.
Reason for Reading: I wouldn’t have read this if I hadn’t received a review copy but Ryan is the author of one of my son’s favourite books that he has had read to him multiple times, Riding Freedom, and I love Peter Sis’ artwork. Besides, I always enjoy a good biography, even children’s fictional biographies. The poetry angle did worry me though as I am not a fan of poetry in general (except for the silly, rhyming kind ala Shel Silverstien and specific epic poems).
This tells the story of Neftali Reyes’ childhood, better known by his pen name Pablo Neruda, a great 20th century poet and winner of the Nobel Prize, though I’ve never heard of him before. And quickly sums up his adulthood in the closing chapters. The last pages include a sampling of his poetry. He had a rough, some would call abusive childhood. A mother who died 2 months after his birth, he and his two siblings were raised by a domineering father who had no patience for daydreaming or idleness. He had worked himself up from poverty and expected his sons to have careers that he never had the opportunity for himself. The eldest son wanted to be a singer, and this was driven out of him brutally by the father who set him up as a businessman after sending him to college. His plans for Neftali were even loftier, expecting him to be a doctor. But Neftali fell short of his expectations in every aspect, being a thin, gangly, weak, sickly child who daydreamed, collected bits and pieces of detritus and loved to write. His father tried everything in his power to drive this creativity out of him, but with the encouragement of a newspaperman Uncle he was able to hold on to his ambition, deep down, until he escaped his father’s influence. He did change his name though to save his father from the embarrassment of publicly having a poet and government dissident for a son.
The story of Neftali’s life is very interesting and the book reads with a gentle poetic flow, in keeping with its subject matter. The book has been printed in green ink as that is how Pablo Neruda himself liked to write. The author Pam Ryan has inserted her own short poetry here and there and the illustrations are accompanied by poetic questions in the form of Neruda’s own “The Book of Questions”. This will all be a bonus to poetry lovers especially those familiar with Neruda himself. Not liking artsy poetry myself, it didn’t appeal to me but didn’t bother me much either.
Also the author has used magical realism to delve inside Neftali’s imaginative, daydreaming personality writing his fantasies as if they were indeed happening. For instance, there is a scene where he finds a rhinoceros beetle in the forest for the first time and is fascinated with it, as he watches it, it grows larger and larger until it kneels down its front legs and offers itself to Neftali who then climbs aboard and sets off for a ride through the forest. I am a big fan of magical realism but this didn’t work for me in this book as it just came across as a device the author was using to make the book even more artsy and poetic. There are several such episodes but they are not overwhelming. Overall, I really did enjoy the story of Neftali Reyes’ childhood and would read his memoirs or a non-fiction biography if I happened to cross paths with them but I was not overly impressed with the artsy-f*rtsy ingredients added to this book and would have much preferred a straight historical fiction. Critics, I’m sure will love the book for its artfulness though.
Dear George Clooney, Please Marry My Mom (Nicola)
Dear George Clooney, Please Marry My Mom by Susin Nielsen
First sentence:
For the record: I did not mean to send my two half sisters to the emergency room.
Acquired: Won a review copy from Library Thing’s Early Reviewer Program.
Reason for Reading: I am fond of the publisher, the cover caught my attention and the summary sounded original. It didn’t hurt that the word “George Clooney” was in the title either!
What an amazing little gem of a book! I absolutely giggled with delight as I read about Violet’s dilemma and what lengths she goes to. Converse-wearing 12 yo Violet’s parents have been divorced for two years. Her TV producer father left them for a trophy wife, who was expecting twins and off they moved to LA. Violet’s mom took it hard and spent the first 6 mos. going through a change, pierced navel, drinking too much wine but she got out of her slump and took up the single life with a passion, always dating, looking for the new Mr. Right. Only problem is the men are all losers. Cheaters, married, kid haters, cheapskates, etc. and Violet knows her mom can do better. She’s even been known to spy on the boyfriend with her best friend Phoebe, looking out for her mom’s best interests. But when her mom starts to seriously date Dudley Wiener Violet knows it’s time to intervene and since her mom actually met George Clooney years ago when she worked on-set doing hair touch ups and had a personalized photo of him, Violet plans a campaign to get Clooney to meet her mother again and perhaps she will be the one who will break his rule that he will never get married again.
The story deals with some serious issues but is light-hearted and hilarious. Violet has an attitude, and understandably so. She outwardly hates her father for his desertion of her and her little sister, she is protective of her little sister and feels she needs to watch out for her mom, while at the same time she has sworn off boys/men altogether except that oh, so cute Jean-Paul has started paying attention to her. Not a popular kid at school, she’s mostly a loner but she isn’t one to let other’s push her around so she’s often getting into trouble both at home and at school. She punches the most popular girl at school in the nose when she calls her mom a skank, she disses a 5 yo girl in her sister’s after school daycare when she calls Rosie dumb, she allows her two half-sisters to eat cat poo and she has a phone conversation with her dad only responding with Magic 8 ball answers. These are just some of the antics you can expect from Violet, but none of it is done mean-spiritedly. I fell in love with Violet right from the beginning.
It’s tough for Violet getting used to her Dad’s glamourous LA lifestyle and new family and adjusting to her own new middle class life that may just include a dumpy, balding man called Dudley Wiener. But through it all, with the help of her eccentric but youthfully understanding mother, her mother’s best friend, her own best friend, her psychiatrist parents and yes even, her dad, his new wife and Dudley she gets through this tense, hurtful stage of her life.
Susin Nielsen has written a book that is both poignant and witty. This was a can’t put down book for me that I read quickly and yet didn’t want it to end. It would be fun to meet Violet again sometime as she seems to be the type of person who will be up to antics all her life, whether she starts them or they happen to her. Lovely book, Violet is a memorable character in literature that will stay fondly with me.
End of Days (Nicola)
End of Days by Max Turner
Night Runner, #2
Pages: 318
Ages: 13+
First Published: Aug. 16, 2010 CAN (Sept. 28, 2010 US)
Publisher: Harper Trophy Canada
Rating: 5/5
First sentence:
I’m told vampires are popular in books these days.
Acquired: Received a review copy from Harper Collins Canada.
Reason for Reading: Next in the series.
That a sequel to Night Runner was coming out came upon me fairly close to its actual publication. I was thrilled and couldn’t wait to read the new book as I had been out of the loop about the sequel being a go!
The very first thing I want to say to US readers is that the US cover is awful! This book is aimed at teenage boys and is *not* a vampire romance like the usual fare out there. Sure girls will love it too, but please don’t let that girl-appealing US cover let you think that it’s not for boys, spend the little extra and get the awesome Canadian cover, if you have to!
Everybody is a year older now and getting used to either knowing they are vampire or having just been turned. The Coven is still out to get Zach, and other child vampires, keeping him on the run, though he has been safely holed up for the last year. But with the death of the one who held them together The Coven is fighting within itself making it an unstable organization; the Underground who protect the vampires from society has been breached and detection from that side is now out of control and suppliers find their blood tainted and vampires are dying. But that is not all. An ancient prophecy of the son of a hunter who will either save or destroy the vampire world seems to be coming true as vampires are ripped to shreds by an incredible Beast, that not even the strongest vampire among them can defeat. Zach finds himself in the middle of this chaos, being a child vampire on the run from those who wish him dead and being the son of a hunter whom some think may be the promised Messiah. A select few of the remaining old wise ones remind him to stay on the side of the good, to choose saint over evil. But can he?
It’s been just over two years since the first book came out that I don’t know if I’m being fair when I say this is even better than Night Runner! While the immediacy of having just read End of Days may make it feel better than the first, it is certainly of equal brilliance. What an incredible vampire story! Turner has created a vampire mythos and world that tends toward the tried and true vampire lore but he hasn’t been afraid to inject his own new, fresh vision that creates something very refreshing and exciting. Breathtakingly revitalizing is the absence of a mopey, clingy love story. There is a love relationship, which is important to characterization but is not essential or even necessary to the plot. They are simply two characters who love each other and whom the reader grows fond of as well. All the characters are fascinating from the evil Beast, which has a mystery behind it, to Ophelia their caretaker and on. More background is given on everybody really fleshing out the characters from book one. This is a page-turner, a stay-up all-nighter and a return to the vampire (with an attitude) genre. Best for those who don’t like their vampires ala Edward. The book comes to a satisfying conclusion but there are many unanswered questions and dangling threads that can be picked up for another book. Hopefully, the wait will be shorter than two years Mr. Turner!